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Meeting Gives Vets Chance to Question Long Medical Waits

A year after a secret wait list scandal focused attention on lengthy wait times for veterans to receive VA medical care, the American Legion wants to hear firsthand accounts. Patrick Healy reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on March 23, 2015. (Published Monday, March 23, 2015)

An increasing percentage of VA health care appointments in greater Los Angeles are being scheduled within the 30-day time frame set by the Obama Administration, according to figures shared at a town hall meeting for veterans Monday night at the Hollywood American Legion post.

Nearly 92 percent of appointments scheduled as of March 1 met the standard, according to Dr. Dean Norman, chief of staff for the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare system. In raw numbers, that represents 80,815 appointments.

Reducing delays in providing health care became a priority of the Obama Administation after the revelation a year ago of a secret wait list at the VA in Phoenix. Later came reports of secret lists at other VA facilities, for the apparent purpose of hiding how long many had to wait, which in some cases was more than a year.

The Obama administration responded with a pledge the VA would schedule and fulfill appointments within 30 days, or cover the cost of private medical care outside the VA.

In the past year, the American Legion has held a series of town halls across the nation.

"In most places, veterans tell us wait times have gotten shorter," said Verna Jones, American Legion executive director.

Many veterans still wait months for medical appointments with the VA Greater LA Healthcare System, concluded an investigation by CNN that cited internal VA data.

In response, the VA cited average wait times of four days for primary care and a week for specialty care.

For veterans, the town hall was an opportunity to ask questions on a variety of challenges encountered navigating the nationa's largest healthcare system.

Outside the West LA VA campus Monday, Army veteran Charles Williams recalled his doctor referring him to a pain management clinic. However, Williams said his repeated phone messages requesting an appointment have not been answered.

"I've been coming here twenty years," said Williams with a wistful smile. "I'm used to it."

Air Force veteran Jorge Betito said he has run into a series of snags and delays since his 2011 medical discharge for back problems. At times, Betito said he gave up and walked away. But last December he was able to meet with a neurosurgeon who scheduled and performed surgery within a handful of days.

"There is progress," said Betito. "But there's still a lot of work left to be done."